GreenSkate Laboratory - Washington, Washington D.C., U.S.A.

I was in Washington DC this week on business, and dropped by the Green Skate Lab, which just opened a week ago. Read all about how they got it built at http://www.greenskatelab.org

The place is one big bowl, with real pool coping everywhere. The bowl is about 9ft in the deep side, and 6 ft in the other side. There is a 3-4 ft role over separating the two sides, but it only extends about half way. Then there is a shallow part that is about 3-4 ft deep, with real mellow transition, perfect to learn how to drop in over coping. There was even a deathbox!

The cement work was first rate, considering this was done with all volunteer labor. Very smooth, but not slippery. Better than most commercial work. The coping perfectly set, and rode like butter. These guys kicked butt!

There was so many lines in this place, it was just amazing. The kids in the neighborhood had just started to ride it, and there was a few that were starting to work the bowls. The place in built in a lower middle class DC neighborhood, so most of the kids couldn't afford boards. Every time I'd stop to rest, one would ask if he could ride my board. They were having a blast. Some had boards that were given to them because they had helped in the construction. I was trying to teach them how to drop in (blind leading the blind!). The kids were having so much fun!

I also ran into two Concrete Disciples skating the place, Seth (Letsgoskatepools) and John (Bulldog).